Page 49 of Duke of Silver
“But you know…” the first maid suddenly lowered her voice to a near whisper, her words barely carrying to Elizabeth’s ears.
Elizabeth took a cautious step closer to the door, her heart pounding as she strained to catch the rest of the conversation. What more could they possibly say?
“They say the Duchess and Lord Percy are together despite her marriage to his brother,” one of the maids whispered, her tone dripping with scandal. “It all started in London, I heard. And a scandal was why the Duke married her in the first place.”
Elizabeth’s hand flew to her mouth, muffling the gasp that escaped her. Her heart pounded, each beat echoing in her ears like a drum. Lady Compton had been right—these rumors were spreading like wildfire, reaching even the remote corners of the countryside. It seemed no matter where she went, these lies followed, tainting her reputation and threatening to unravel everything she had tried so hard to hold together.
“But I thought Lord Percy had left England?” the second maid asked, her voice full of doubt.
“What I heard is that he’s still around,” the first maid replied confidently. “Hiding and meeting her in private.”
The words struck Elizabeth like a blow, the weight of them almost too much to bear. The audacity of it—the sheer baselessness of these accusations—left her breathless with anger and fear. This was no mere idle gossip; it was a poison, seepinginto the very fabric of her life, threatening to destroy her marriage and her standing in society.
She had to find Alexander at once. They needed to act swiftly, to return to London and root out these vile rumors before they took deeper hold. The decision was made in an instant, clarity cutting through her panic like a blade. She would not allow these lies to fester. They had to confront this head-on.
Her resolve firm, Elizabeth turned on her heel, determined to speak with her husband the moment he returned. But as she made her way toward her bedchamber, her thoughts racing, she was met with an unexpected sight.
“Oh, Your Grace. I was just about to go find you,” her new lady’s maid chirped the moment Elizabeth entered the room.
The girl was bent over something on the bed, her eyes alight with a strange excitement that seemed to radiate from her. Elizabeth’s steps faltered, curiosity piqued despite the turmoil in her heart.
“What is it, Lydia?” Elizabeth asked, moving closer.
The maid straightened, revealing a sight that made Elizabeth’s breath catch once more, but this time for an entirely different reason. There, spread across the covers, was a dress of the deepest red velvet, its richness almost overwhelming in the soft light of the room.
“Where did you get this from?” Elizabeth asked, surprised.
“The Duke had it made for you, Your Grace,” Lydia replied, her smile broadening. “It was delivered not long ago.”
“Made for me?” Elizabeth echoed, her surprise evident. “But how? When?” The questions tumbled from her lips, her mind struggling to grasp the unexpected gesture.
To her further astonishment, Mary chuckled, a sound filled with youthful mischief. “I was instructed by Mrs. Ryton to get your measurements in secret,” the girl admitted, her eyes twinkling with delight. “I didn’t understand why at first, but it seems like the Duke wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Oh my,” Elizabeth murmured, her fingers grazing the luxurious fabric with reverence. The dress was a masterpiece—soft as a whisper, yet vibrant and bold in its hue. It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful dress she had ever beheld.
“Shall we try it on, Your Grace?” Mary asked, her excitement infectious.
Elizabeth nodded, her own anticipation building. As the dress settled around her, the depth and richness of the red velvet seemed to come alive against her pale complexion. She turned to the mirror, breath catching at the sight.
“Oh, it looks wonderful!” Elizabeth exclaimed, giving a small twirl before the standing mirror, the skirt flaring out with a graceful sweep.
“You make it look so, Your Grace,” Mary said with an admiring smile.
Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile back, though a small frown tugged at the corner of her lips as she studied her reflection once more. The gift was so unexpected, so out of character for Alexander, that she couldn’t help but wonder at its purpose. Could it be... a peace offering? Was this his way of bridging the gap that had grown between them?
The thought lingered in her mind as she carefully removed the dress and returned to her usual attire. Whatever his intentions, she would soon find out. Alexander returned home just before dinner, and Elizabeth wasted no time in seeking him out, her heart racing with both anxiety and hope.
She found him in the library, his back turned to her as he leafed through a book. The sight of him—so familiar, yet still so distant—filled her with an odd sense of longing.
“There you are,” she sighed, relief washing over her at the sight of him.
Alexander turned, his expression one of mild surprise. “You’re looking for me?” he asked, clearly taken aback.
“Is it so implausible that I would be?” Elizabeth countered, her voice steady though her heart beat uncomfortably fast.
His brow furrowed slightly, as if pondering over her words. “Well, considering you looked as though you could barely tolerate my presence in that hall...”
Elizabeth stilled. Could it be that he had misinterpreted her reaction as well?
